Arthrography (Joint X-ray, Arthrogram) Procedure Overview What is arthrography? Arthrography is a type of x-ray used to examine a joint, such as the knee or hip, when standard x-rays are not adequate. A series of x-rays is taken with the joint in various positions after contrast dye is placed in the joint. While arthrography is most commonly used to examine the knee and shoulder joints, it may also be used to examine other joints, such as the wrist, ankle, hip, or elbow. Anatomy of the shoulder: Click I...

Arthroplasty (Hip Arthroplasty, Joint Arthroplasty, Knee Arthroplasty, Shoulder Arthroplasty, Finger Arthroplasty, Joint Replacement Surgery) Procedure Overview What is arthroplasty? Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to restore the integrity and function of a joint. A joint can be restored by resurfacing the bones. An artificial joint (called a prosthesis) may also be used. Various types of arthritis may affect the joints. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is a loss of the cartilage or c...

Arthroscopy Procedure (Arthroscopic Surgery, Arthroscopic Examination, Joint Endoscopy, Knee Arthroscopy, Shoulder Arthroscopy, Fiberoptic Joint Examination) Procedure Overview What is arthroscopy? Arthroscopy is a minimally-invasive procedure used for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting joints. The physician can directly view the internal structures of a joint using an instrument called an arthroscope. Orthopedic surgeons use arthroscopy to diagnose and treat joint problems. An arthrosc...

Bone Scan (Bone Scintigraphy) Procedure Overview What is a bone scan? A bone scan is a specialized radiology procedure used to examine the various bones of the skeleton to identify areas of physical and chemical changes in bone. A bone scan may also be used to follow the progress of treatment of certain conditions. A bone scan is a type of nuclear radiology procedure. This means that a tiny amount of a radioactive substance is used during the procedure to assist in the examination of the bones. The radi...

Joint Aspiration (Joint Injection and Aspiration, Joint Aspiration and Analysis, Arthrocentesis) Procedure Overview What is joint aspiration? Joint aspiration refers to removing fluid from the space around a joint using a needle and syringe. This is usually performed under a local anesthetic to either relieve swelling or to obtain fluid for analysis to diagnose a joint disorder and/or problem. Joint aspiration is usually performed on the knee. However, fluid can also be removed from other joints, such a...

Myelogram (Myelography) Procedure Overview What is a myelogram? A myelogram, also known as myelography, is a diagnostic imaging procedure performed by a radiologist. It combines the use of a contrast substance with x-rays or computed tomography (CT) to evaluate abnormalities of the spinal canal, including the spinal cord, nerve roots, and other tissues. The contrast "dye" is injected into the spinal column before the procedure. This substance, or dye, causes the tissue under study to be visible. After t...

About Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases What is the difference between arthritis and other rheumatic diseases? Arthritis, itself a group of more than 100 different diseases, is one category of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases may cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints and other supporting body structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. However, rheumatic diseases can affect other areas of the body, including internal organs. Some rheumatic diseases involv...

Children Living With a Rheumatic Disease Living with a rheumatic disease: A child living with a rheumatic disease does not necessarily have to live a limited lifestyle. All the members of the family are affected by a child's diagnosis of rheumatic disease, so there must be an effort to maintain as normal a family activity pattern as possible. With proper management, a rheumatic disease may not have to hinder your child's daily activities over a long period of time. Exercise and rheumatic diseases: Exerc...

Common Types of Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases There are many forms of pediatric arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some of these diseases, for which we have provided a brief overview. Juvenile Dermatomyositis Fibromyalgia Juvenile Ankylosing Spondylitis Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Psoriatic Arthritis Rheumatic Fever Scleroderma Septic (Infectious) Arthritis Systemic Lupu...

Diagnosing Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases in Children Diagnosis of pediatric arthritis and other rheumatic diseases: Diagnosing pediatric arthritis and other rheumatic diseases is often difficult, as many symptoms are similar among the different diseases. To make an accurate diagnosis, your child's physician may need to conduct the following: medical history physical examination laboratory tests, x-rays, and other imaging tests imaging tests What is involved in reviewing your child's medical his...

Fibromyalgia in Children What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia, also called fibrositis, is a chronic, widespread pain in muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joints throughout the body, accompanied by fatigue. The disease is fairly common, affecting approximately 2 percent to 4 percent of the US population, mostly females. Although its symptoms are similar to other joint diseases, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia is actually a form of soft tissue or muscular rheumatism that causes pain in the muscles an...

Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) What is Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP)? Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a form of vasculitis, a condition which involves inflammation of the blood vessels. It is one of the most common forms of vasculitis in childhood. HSP is seen most frequently in children between the ages of two and 11 years, and occurs more frequently in boys. A family connection has been noted with HSP, where the disease has happened to two or more siblings of the same family, either at the same tim...

Topic Index Statistics Anatomy of a Joint About Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Diagnosing Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Common Types of Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Treatment for Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Living With a Rheumatic Disease Glossary Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are characterized by pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and connective tissues in the body. An estimated 46 million people in the U...

Juvenile Ankylosing Spondylitis What is juvenile ankylosing spondylitis? Juvenile ankylosing spondylitis (JAS) is a type of arthritis that affects the spine and the sites where the muscles, tendons, and ligaments are attached to bone. "Ankylosing" means stiff or rigid, "spondyl" means spine, and "itis" refers to inflammation. The disease causes inflammation of the spine and large joints, resulting in stiffness and pain. The disease may result in erosion at the joint between the spine and the hip bone (t...

Juvenile Dermatomyositis What is juvenile dermatomyositis? Juvenile dermatomyositis is one of the conditions in a group of conditions called the dermatomyositis/polymyositis complex. The conditions in this complex are characterized by muscle damage due to an inflammatory process of the blood vessels that lie under the skin and muscles. Skin changes around the eyelids and over the knuckles and finger joints are also seen. Juvenile dermatomyositis is the condition most often seen in children. Juvenile der...

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis What is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis? Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a form of arthritis in children ages 16 or younger that causes inflammation and stiffness of joints for more than six weeks. Unlike adult rheumatoid arthritis, which is chronic and lasts a lifetime, children often outgrow juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. However, the disease can affect bone development in the growing child. The disease can be classified into three categories based on the number of a...

Online Resources - Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. This...

Pediatric Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Statistics The following statistics are from the Arthritis Foundation: Nearly 47 million people in the US have some form of arthritis or chronic joint symptoms. About 300,000 children in the US have arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common form of juvenile arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, the most crippling form of arthritis, affects approximately 1.3 million Americans and two to three times more women than men. Further, the avera...

Psoriatic Arthritis in Children What is psoriatic arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis associated with psoriasis, a chronic skin and nail disease characterized by red, scaly rashes and thick, pitted fingernails. The disease is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in symptoms, characterized by joint inflammation. However, psoriatic arthritis tends to affect fewer joints than rheumatoid arthritis and does not produce the typical rheumatoid arthritis antibodies. The arthritis associated with ps...

Rheumatic Fever What is rheumatic fever? Rheumatic fever is a complicated, involved disease that affects the joints, skin, heart, blood vessels, and brain. It is a systemic immune disease that may develop after an infection with streptococcus bacteria, such as strep throat and scarlet fever. What causes rheumatic fever? Rheumatic fever is a delayed, autoimmune reaction to the streptococcus bacteria. It can be prevented with prompt diagnosis of strep throat, and treatment of strep throat with antibiotics...

Scleroderma in Children What is scleroderma? There are two forms of scleroderma: localized scleroderma and systemic sclerosis. Localized scleroderma can be seen more frequently in children than the systemic form. It may involve patches of the skin on the trunk, arms, legs, or head. Other names for the localized form are morphea and linear scleroderma. Systemic sclerosis is a chronic, degenerative disease that affects the joints, skin, and internal organs. Scleroderma is also associated with blood vessel...

Septic (Infectious) Arthritis What is septic arthritis? Septic arthritis is an infection in the joint (synovial) fluid and joint tissues. The infection usually reaches the joints though the bloodstream, although some joints may become infected due to an injection, surgery, or injury. Different bacteria and viruses can infect a joint and usually are associated with a person's age. The following types of infectious organisms have been associated with septic arthritis: staphylococci (common bacteria that o...

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, or Lupus) in Children What is lupus? Systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as SLE, or simply lupus, is a disease that is characterized by periodic episodes of inflammation of and damage to the joints, tendons, other connective tissues, and organs, including the heart, lungs, blood vessels, brain, kidneys, and skin. The heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain are the organs most affected. Lupus affects each individual differently and the effects of the illness range from mi...

Treatment for Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases in Children Treatment for arthritis and other rheumatic diseases: Unfortunately, there is no cure for rheumatic disease (with the exception of infectious arthritis, which can be cured with antibiotics if detected or diagnosed early). The goal of treatment is to limit pain and inflammation, while ensuring optimal joint function. Each treatment plan designed by a physician should be specifically tailored to the patients type of rheumatic disease, as wel...

Vasculitis Vasculitis is a term that refers to several different conditions, all of which involve inflammation and/or damage to the blood vessels, ranging from moderate to severe. Some conditions, such as Kawasaki disease, involve inflammation and death of tissue in arteries. Other conditions, such as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, may affect both arteries and veins. Kawasaki disease is the most common form of vasculitis seen in children, and is seen most often in children of Asian origin. Kawasaki disease o...

Rheumatoid Arthritis What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the joints. The inflammation can become so severe that the function and appearance of the hands, as well as other parts of the body, can become affected. In the hand, rheumatoid arthritis may cause deformities in the joints of the fingers, making it difficult to move the fingers. Lumps, known as rheumatoid nodules, may form over small joints in the hands and the wrist. Juvenile rheuma...

Arthritis What is arthritis? Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are characterized by pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and connective tissues in the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 47 million people in the US have some form of arthritis or chronic joint symptoms. Arthritis, which literally means inflammation of a joint (where two or more bones meet), actually refers to more than 100 different diseases. Rheumatic diseases include any diseases tha...

Treatment for Arthritis Treatment for arthritis: Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. The goal of treatment is often to limit pain and inflammation, while ensuring optimal joint function. Each treatment plan designed by a physician should be specifically tailored to the individual's type of arthritis, as well as the severity of the condition. Treatment plans often involve both short-term and long-term relief approaches, including the following: Short-term relief: medications Short-term relief ...

About Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases What is the difference between arthritis and other rheumatic diseases? Arthritis, itself a group of more than 100 different diseases, is one category of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic diseases may cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints and other supporting body structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. However, rheumatic diseases can affect other areas of the body, including internal organs. Some rheumatic diseases involve connecti...

Anatomy of a Joint Click Image to Enlarge Joints are the areas where two or more bones meet. Most joints are mobile, allowing the bones to move. Joints consist of the following: cartilage - a type of tissue that covers the surface of a bone at a joint. Cartilage helps reduce the friction of movement within a joint. synovial membrane - a tissue called the synovial membrane lines the joint and seals it into a joint capsule. The synovial membrane secretes synovial fluid (a clear, sticky fluid) around the j...

Ankylosing Spondylitis What is ankylosing spondylitis? Click Image to Enlarge Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. "Ankylosing" means stiff or rigid, "spondyl" means spine, and "itis" refers to inflammation. The disease causes inflammation of the spine and large joints, resulting in stiffness and pain. The disease may result in erosion at the joint between the spine and the hip bone (the sacroiliac joint), and the formation of bony bridges between vertebrae in the s...

Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Statistics The following statistics are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Arthritis Foundation: Nearly 47 million people in the US have some form of arthritis or chronic joint symptoms. Rheumatic diseases are the leading cause of disability among persons age 65 and older. Approximately 26.9 million adults in the Un...

Bursitis What is a bursa? A bursa is a closed, fluid-filled sac that functions as a cushion and gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. The major bursae are located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints, such as in the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. When the bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is known as bursitis. Bursitis is usually a temporary condition. It may restrain motion, but generally does not cause deformity. What causes bursitis? The most common causes ...

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Click Image to Enlarge Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve is compressed as it passes through an opening from the wrist to the hand called the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is formed by the carpal bones on the bottom of the wrist and the transverse carpal ligament across the top of the wrist. Since the median nerve provides sensory and motor functions to the thumb and three middle fingers, many symptoms may result. Fac...

Common Types of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases There are many forms of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Ankylosing Spondylitis Bursitis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fibromyalgia Gout Infectious Arthritis Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Lyme Disease Low Back Pain Osteoarthritis Psoriatic Arthritis Raynaud's Phenomenon Reactive Arthritis (Re...

Diagnosing Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Diagnosis of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases: Diagnosing arthritis and other rheumatic diseases is often difficult, as many symptoms are similar among the different diseases. To make an accurate diagnosis, a physician may need to conduct the following: review the medical history perform a physical examination obtain laboratory tests, x-rays, and other imaging tests What is involved in reviewing your medical history? When reviewing your medical his...

Gout What is gout? Gout is characterized by inflamed, painful joints due to the formation of crystal deposits at the joints. Also known as "the disease of kings and the king of diseases," gout affects more men than women and is often associated with obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (high levels of lipids in the blood), and diabetes. What causes gout? Gout is caused by monosodium urate crystal deposits in the joints, due to an excess of uric acid in the body. The excess of uric...

Topic Index Statistics Anatomy of a Joint About Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Diagnosing Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Common Types of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Treatment for Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases Living With a Rheumatic Disease Glossary Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are characterized by pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and connective tissues in the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 46 million pe...

Infectious Arthritis What is infectious arthritis? Click Image to Enlarge Infectious arthritis is an infection in the joint (synovial) fluid and joint tissues. The infection usually reaches the joint(s) though the bloodstream, although some joints may become infected due to an injection, surgery, or injury. Different bacteria and viruses can infect a joint and usually are associated with a person's age, including the following: Staphylococci (a common bacteria that often causes skin infections), Haemoph...

Living With a Rheumatic Disease Living with a rheumatic disease: Living with a rheumatic disease does not necessarily mean living a limited lifestyle. With proper management, a rheumatic disease often does not have to hinder your daily activities. Exercise and rheumatic diseases: Exercise, when done correctly, can help reduce rheumatic disease symptoms, including the following: preventing joint stiffness keeping muscles strong around the joints improving joint flexibility reducing swelling reducing pain...

Lyme Disease The danger of tick bites: While most tick bites are harmless, several species can cause life-threatening diseases. Two of these well-known diseases are Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease. Ticks can also transmit tularemia (a plague-like disease in rodents that can be transmitted to man), relapsing fever, and a newly identified ailment called ehrlichiosis (an abrupt illness consisting of fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss). What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease (LD) is a ...

Online Resources - Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. This page cont...

Osteoarthritis What is osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a chronic, degenerative joint disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage. Although it can occur in any joint, usually it affects the hands, knees, hips, or spine. The disease is also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Click Image to Enlarge What causes osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis can be classified as...

Psoriatic Arthritis What is psoriatic arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis associated with psoriasis, a chronic skin and nail disease characterized by red, scaly rashes and thick, pitted fingernails. The disease is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in symptoms, characterized by joint inflammation. However, psoriatic arthritis tends to affect fewer joints than rheumatoid arthritis and does not produce the typical rheumatoid arthritis antibodies. The arthritis associated with psoriatic arth...

Raynaud's Phenomenon What is Raynaud's phenomenon? Raynaud's phenomenon or, simply, Raynaud's, is a disorder characterized by decreased blood flow - usually to the fingers, and less frequently to the ears, toes, nipples, knees, or nose. Vascular spasms usually occur as attacks in response to cold exposure, stress, or emotional upset. Raynaud's can occur alone (primary form) or may occur with other diseases (secondary form). The diseases most frequently associated with Raynaud's are autoimmune or connect...

Reactive Arthritis (Reiter's Syndrome) What is reactive arthritis? Reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter's syndrome, is a type of arthritis that occurs as a reaction to an infection somewhere in the body. Most infections that cause the disease originate in the genitourinary tract (the bladder, urethra, penis, or vagina) and are spread through sexual intercourse, a form of the disease called genitourinary Reiter's syndrome, or urogenital Reiter's syndrome. Other infections that can cause reactive arth...

Scleroderma What is scleroderma? Scleroderma, also called systemic sclerosis, is a chronic, degenerative disease that affects the joints, skin, and internal organs. Scleroderma is also associated with blood vessel abnormalities. Scleroderma is considered to be a multifactorial condition. Multifactorial inheritance means that "many factors" are involved in causing a health problem. The factors are usually both genetic and environmental, where a combination of genes from both parents, in addition to unkno...

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) What is lupus? Systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as SLE, or simply lupus, is a disease that is characterized by periodic episodes of inflammation of and damage to the joints, tendons, other connective tissues, and organs, including the heart, lungs, blood vessels, brain, kidneys, and skin. The heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain are the organs most affected. Lupus affects each individual differently and the effects of the illness range from mild to severe. Lupus ...

Tendonitis What are tendon problems? Two major problems associated with tendons include tendonitis and tenosynovitis. Tendonitis, inflammation of a tendon (the tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones) can affect any tendon, but is most commonly seen in the wrist and fingers. When the tendons become irritated, swelling, pain, and discomfort will occur. Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheaths which enclose the tendons. The tendon sheath is usually the site which b...

Treatment for Arthritis Treatment for arthritis: Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. The goal of treatment is often to limit pain and inflammation, while ensuring optimal joint function. Each treatment plan designed by a physician should be specifically tailored to the individual's type of arthritis, as well as the severity of the condition. Treatment plans often involve both short-term and long-term relief approaches, including the following: Short-term relief: medications Short-term relief ...

When the Immune System Chooses the Wrong Target Your symptoms are vague: a feeling of fatigue; some tingling in arms or legs that comes and goes; aching muscles; perhaps a headache. Are you sick? Or are you just imagining that something's wrong? Many women who have reported these symptoms to their doctor have been dismissed as hypochondriacs or suffering from anxiety. But the real diagnosis is much more subtle, at least at first. Those symptoms may indicate one of a host of autoimmune diseases such as l...

Taking Care of Arthritis Flares Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks connective tissues and joints. In the course of RA, there tend to be episodes of worsening pain, stiffness, and swelling called flares of the disease. If they're not treated, they can eventually lead to lack of mobility and debilitating pain. Long-term benefits Responding appropriately to these flares can ease your pain and help you stay independent. "The bottom line is, many people with...

Understanding Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex, often misunderstood illness. Its symptoms are chronic pain, sleep problems, and fatigue. There’s no known cure for the condition, but symptoms can be eased through lifestyle changes and possibly medication. “Because this condition affects different people in different ways, getting proper treatment requires finding a doctor willing to work through the trial and error of finding effective remedies,” says Patrick Wood, M.D. He's assistant professo...

Hope for Lupus: Taming the Wolf A lot of college students are epic snoozers, but for Lisa Amato of Unionville, Conn., the freshman year added up to a big "F" for fatigue and an "A" for achiness. "The extreme weakness and super-sore joints were like having the flu, only worse and never-ending," she says. After a while, blood tests suggested lupus - a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's immune cells turn traitor. They attack healthy cells in the skin, joints, muscles, brain, kidneys, and connec...

Understanding Joint Pain Sprained ankles and wrists, arthritic knees and hips and torn rotator cuffs all have one thing in common: They result in joint pain. “Everyone gets joint pain at some point or another,” says Ferdinand Liotta, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Orthopaedic Associates in Aspen, Colo. “The usual causes are overusing a joint during exercise or at work, age-related arthritis and sprains or fractures caused by falls or other traumatic injuries.” Becoming familiar with the usual causes a...

Understanding Your Osteoarthritis Medications Osteoarthritis treatments aim to relieve pain and reduce stiffness. Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, most often affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. It also can affect the hands and spine. OA usually appears after age 45, in both men and women, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Joint trauma, obesity, and repetitive joint use also can bring on OA. Treatment includes exercise; heat or cold;...